Hood fastener



w. R. WILEY HOOD FASTENER Oct. 10, 1933.

Filed Nov. 11, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 V/Qz a enf'or WZZ/Z'am JY- 442/8 W. R. WILEY HOOD FASTENER Oct. 10, 1933.

Filed NOV. 11, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fizvenfy 6 deg)".

Patented Oct. 10, 1933 UNITED STATES- HOOD FASTENER William R. Wiley, Detroit, Mich., assignor to The Bassick Company, Bridgeport, Conn., acorporation of Connecticut Application November 11, 1931. Serial No. 574,291

16 Claims. (Cl. 292-129) My invention relates generally to hood fasteners or hood latches, and more particularly to fasteners usable for latching automobile hoods.

It is an object of my invention to provide an improved hood fastener which will be operative resiliently to hold automobile hoods securely against upward vertical movement and against outward swinging, so as to prevent undesired rattling of the hood.

A further object is to provide an improved hood fastener by means of which a hood will be automatically latched when manually forced to its closed position.

A further object is to provide an improved hood fastener which will be automatically latched in closed position and which may be manually released from the exterior of the hood.

A further object is to provide an automatically engageable latch mechanism for automobile hoods in which the latch is mounted in a frame or housing and the latter forms a guide to facilitate engagement of the latching mechanism with the keeper.

A further object is to provide an improved hood fastening means which may be easily operated, which is simple in construction, and which may be economically manufactured.

Other objects will appear from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the inside of an automobile hood provided with my improved latching means; I

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view showing my improved latching mechanism in side elevation;

Figure '3 is an elevation of a portion of the exterior of the hood showing the latch releasing means;

Figure 4 is an enlarged central vertical sectional view of the latch, showing the parts in latched position;

Figure 5 is a rear elevation thereof;

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view thereof taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4;

Figure '7 is an enlarged horizontal sectional View taken on the line 77 of Fig. 2; and

Figure 8 is a central vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 4, showing the parts in unlatche dp position.

The fastening means of my invention is par-' ticularly adapted for use with double-hinged automobile hoods of the'type commonly in use, This type of hood is illustrated in Fig. 1 as com-" prising an upper portion 10 which is hinged to a central rod (not shown) which connectsthe radiator shell and. dash board of the vehicle. The hood comprises a side plate 12 joinedto the portion 10 by a hinge 14. A rod 16 forming a keeper for the latches has its forward end rigidly secured to the radiator shell 18 by means of a suitable bracket 20 and has its other end rigidly secured to the dash 22. In lieu of the rod 16. separate inverted U-shaped keepers secured ,to the sill 24 could be employed The latch com'- prises a channel-shaped frame 26 havingjside wardly bent flanges 28 and 30. Bolts:32 passing through an apertured escutcheon 'plate 34; through the hood plate 12 and through the suitable openings in the flanges 28 and 30 of the frame 26 firmly secure the latter to the hood side plate 12.

A latch bolt 36 is pivotally mounted between the sides of theframe 26 and has a relativelysmooth- 1y curved edge 38 which is adapted to beengaged by the rod 16 as the latch bolt isjm'oved downwardly relative to the rod. The "latch-bolt 36 is pivoted on apin 40 riveted in the sides of the frame 26. The latch bolt has an arm 42 which". is pivotally connected to a part 44 of a spring cage by means of a pin 46. The part 44 is formed from a strip of metal which is bent to substantially rectangular shape, as illustrated in Fig. 6, and forms an enclosure for the two sides and the upper end of the spring cage. The other part 48- of the spring cage is likewise formed of a bent metal strip andforms the front, rear and bottom closure of the spring cage. A compression coil spring 68 is pre-compressedbetween the ends of the cage parts 44 and 48. It will be seen from Fig. 7 that the part 44 is guided Ior'longitudlnal sliding movement between the sides of part 48. Clockwise pivotal movement of thelatch bolt 36 is prevented by the engagement of a stop surface 47 formed on the latch bolt with a portion 49 of the frame 26.

The part 48 has a saw-tooth-shaped projection 50 formed on its front surface which is adapted to engage the end of a sear 52. This sear has a pair of outwardly projecting lugs 54 which are. journaled in suitable apertures 56 formed in the sides of the frame 26. A button 58 which projects through the aperture in the "escutch'eon plate 34 is riveted to the lower end of the sear 52, a flat spring 60 being secured to the sear by means of the button. The spring 60 normally retains the sear 52 in the'position shown in 'Fig. 4 with its'upper end located beneath the projection 50. The'spring 60 is not essential to the satis 518B. 38,'ofv each'of, the latch. bolts will engage factory operation of the device, because the cage part 48 bears against the sear 52 at apoint slightly below its pivotal axis, and will thereby tend normally to swing the sear clockwise to the position in which it is shown in Fig. 4. (It will be understood that when the cage part 48 is in engagement with the. cam surface 70. as shown in dotted linesin Fig; .4 the compression spring 68 tends to'swing the spring cage counter-clockwise about the pivot 46 because the point of contact between the cage part .48 and arm 42 of latch bolt 36 is not in direct alignment with the pivot 46.) The lower edges of the sides of the frame. 26. are. curved, as illustrated at 62, (Fig. 4), so as. to

aid in guiding the latch bolt over the keeper. rod

16 as the hood is moved downwardly to locked position. One or more handles 64 which are rigidly secured to the hood plate 12 are provided. for manual engagement in raising and, lowering, the hood.

In. using the hood; fastener of my invention,

ltis preferable to usetwo latches for each side of. the hood, thelatches being placed. adjacent the ends of the-hood, asillustrated generally in Fig. 1.. In normal use with, the hood in closed. position. the latchbolts 36 will engage beneath the keeper rods 16 substantially as illustrated in full, lines in Fig.4. The curved keeperengaging surface 66.0f each. of the latch bolts will. tend not only.to pull the hood; downwardly but also toexertavforcepulling the hood inwardly.- against theusual stopsprovided on the radiatorshell and dashofthe automobile. This willbedue tolthe fact thatthe latch bolt is normally biased tomove clockwise, (Fig; 4).. by the; compression, coil. spring 68. Whi.ch',is.held, within the cage formed. by the twoparts44and-48,

In operation the hood is moved to itsclosed positionby. means of. the handle,- 64. Duringv the downwardmovement .of the hood the curved the. keeper. rod, 16; and, thereby be cammed; in.-. wardly (Swinging, the latch bolt 36 counter-clockby. the;spring"6.8.;and-thus pullthe. hood downwardly andinwardly. During. this operation .the sear 52 will.be inengagementwith the projection.

and hold'thecage, part .48 .in its upper. position.

When it is. desired-to release thelatch bolt, the buttonsa ispushed. inwardly against the tension ofjitsspringfin,[thereby releasing the cage. part 6B..whl,ch forces the cage. part 48 downwardly vagainstthecurved upper surface '70 -of. the latch bolt 36. This slight tension .mayreadily be overcome by pulling the hood'upwardly by meansof thehandle 64.. Whenthisis done the latch bolt 36,. willbe, swung. counter-clockwise to an extent sumfiient. to permit its disengagement from the;

keep r. rod ;16. During, this counter-clockwise swinginfi movement of. the latch bolt. the cage parts 4.4fand.48.will be moveddownwardly, but inview of, theengagem'ent of the lower end of the.,part.48,.with the cam surface 70,-,the part. 48

willlnot. move downwardly as fast as thepart44 and the, consequent. relative movement..o f the parts 44,'and,48.,will cause slight additional complfesslonof, the spring 68, whichcompression will be. sufllclentto return. the parts to .normal posi- Patent is:

V 1. Fastening means for the hoods of automotive vehicles comprising a keeper fixed to the chassisof the vehicle, a housing frame secured to the hoodof the vehicle, a latch bolt pivoted in said housing. frame, a spring, a two-part cage enclosing said spring and maintaining it under initial compression, one of said parts being pivotally. securedtosaidlatch bolt and the other of said parts. being capable of camming engagement therewith, a detent for holding said last named. partfrom engagement with said latch bolt, and manually operable meansfor releasing saiddetent.

2. A fastener for swinging hinged hoods .01 automotive vehicles comprising a keeper fixed to the chassis of. the vehicle, a latchbolt engage-- able with said keeper, aspring automatically tensioned by. engagement. of. said. latch bolt with saidkeeper upon moving said hood to closed p0- sition, and manually operable means for partially relieving the tensionupon said spring therebyto facilitate disengagement of said latch bolt and.- keeper... I 1

3. Fastening means for the hood of. an automotive vehicle comprising. a keeper fixed relative-to the chassisof. the vehicle, a latch bolt.en-- gageable with said keeper incidental tothe movement of saidhoodtoitsclosed position, a spring operatively associated with said latchbolt to force the latter into tight engagement with said keeper, and manually operable means forv relieveingthe tension onsaid spring. thereby to facilitate disengagement of said latch bolt and keeper by movement of said hood from its normal closed, position.

4. Ahood latch comprising a frame securedto the inside of a hood, a. latch. lever pivotally mounted onsaicl frame, aspring biased normally to exert a. forcetending torotate said latch lever inone direction, and. manually operable means to relieve the tension of said, spring.

5..Means for fastening the hoods of automotive. vehicles to the chassis. thereof comprising a keeper carried by one of saidparts of the. vehicle,

a. housing frame secured to. the other of. said parts, a latchbolt movably mounted in said housing frame, a spring, a two-piece cage enclosing said spring andmaintainingitunder initialcompression, one, of said, pieces being. pivotally secured to said latch bolt and the other of said pieces. being. capable of. camming engagement therewith, adetentfor holding said last named. piece from engagement with said latchbolt, and manually operable means for. releasing saiddetent.

6. A fastener. for. swinging hinged hoods. of. automotive-vehicles comprising a keeper fixed to the chassis .of the vehicle, a latch bolt engageable. with .said, keeper, a spring automaticallytensioned upon engagement of. said latch bolt with 146 said keeper upon moving said hood to closed po- .sition thereby to hold said. latch. bolt resiliently tate disengagement of said latch bolt and keeper.

'7. Fastening means of the class described comprising a fixed keeper, a latch bolt engageable with said keeper incidental to its movement to-.

Ward the latter, a spring operatively associated with said latch bolt to force the latter into tight engagement with said keeper, and manually operable means for relieving the tension on said spring thereby to facilitate disengagement of said latch bolt and keeper by movement of said hood from its normal closed position.

8. A hood latch comprising a frame secured to the inside'of a hood, a fixed keeper, a latch lever pivotally mounted on said frame and engageable with said keeper as said hood is moved to closed position, a spring "biased by said latch lever upon its engagement with said keeper to exert a force tending to swing said latch lever in one direction, and manually operable means to relieve the tension on said spring.

9. Means for fastening the hoods of automotive vehicles to the chassis thereof comprising a keeper fixed to one of said parts of the vehicle, a latch bolt pivoted upon the other of said parts of the vehicle, a spring, means for stressing said spring upon moving said latch bolt toward latching position against said keeper, a detent for holding said spring stressed, and manually operable means for releasing said detent.

10. In a fastener for swinging hinged hoods of automotive vehicles comprising a keeper fixed to the chassis of the vehicle, a latch bolt engageable with said keeper, a compression spring tensioned upon engagement of said latch bolt with said keeper when moving said hood to closed position, and manually engageable means operable partially to relieve the tension upon said spring thereby to facilitate disengagement of said latch bolt and keeper.

11. Fastening means for securing the hood of an automotive vehicle to the chassis thereof comprising a keeper fixed relative to one of said parts of the vehicle, a latch bolt carried by the other part of saidvehicle and engageable with said keeper incidental to the movement of said hood to its closed position, a spring operatively associated with said latch bolt to force the latter into tight engagement with said keeper, sear means associated with said spring to hold one end thereof against movement, and manually engageable means for moving said sear from holding position thereby to relieve the tension on said spring and to facilitate disengagement of said latch bolt and keeper upon movement of said hood from its normal closed position.

12. A hood latch comprising a frame secured to the inside of a hood and having a guiding surface, a latch lever pivotally mounted on said frame, said lever having a camming surface forming a prolongation of said guiding surface, a spring biased normally to exert a force tending to rotate said latch in one direction, and manually operable means to relieve the tension of said spring.

13. In a fastening device for securing the hoods of automotive vehicles to the chassis thereof, the combination of a keeper aflixed to the chassis with a latching device aflixed to the hood, said device comprising a latching bolt automatically engageable with said keeper incidental to the closing of the hood of the vehicle, resilient means for holding said latching bolt in engagement with said keeper, and manipulative means operable from the outside of the hood for relieving the compression of said resilient means to permit the opening of the hood.

14. In a device for securing the hoods of automotive vehicles to the chassis thereof, the combination of a keeper aflixed to the chassis with a latching device secured to the inside of the hood, said latching device comprising a latching bolt engageable with said keeper upon moving said hood to closed position, resilient means for holding said latch in engagement with said keeper, and a button projecting through said hood operable manually for relieving the compression of said resilient means.

15. In a device for securing the hoods of automotive vehicles to the chassis thereof, the combination of a housing frame connected to said hood, a bell crank shaped latch bolt pivotally connected to said frame having one arm engage able with a fixed keeper incidental to the closing of the hood, a spring cage comprising relatively movable sections, a pivotal connection between one section of said cage and the other arm of said latch bolt, a detent for holding the other section of said cage from movement, a spring in said cage for resiliently holding said first mentioned arm of said latch bolt in engagement with said keeper, and manipulative means for releasing said detent thereby partially to relieve the compression of said spring for facilitating the disengagement of said first mentioned arm from said keeper.

16. A fastener for automatically securing the hoods of automotive vehicles to the chassis thereof incidental to the closing of the same, comprising a latch bolt adapted for attachment to the inside of the hood and automatically engageable incidental to the closing of the hood with a keeper affixed to the chassis, means for resiliently holding said latchbolt in keeper engaging position, and means adapted to extend to the outside of the hood and manually operable for relieving the tension of said resilient means.

WILLIAM R. WILEY. 

